Of course, to have attempted to resist this armed mob of hundreds of men would have been preposterous.  It would have been, so far as I was concerned, at least, to have committed myself to instant death.  Compelled, therefore, to make the best of our unfortunate situation, Miss King consented to go with the Committee, and I to leave the village—­she, however, taking care to assure me in a whisper, that she would meet me on the following day in Syracuse.  The lady was now conducted by the Committee through the mob to the sleigh.  Not a word was spoken by a single ruffian in the crowd.  All were silent until the driver put whip to his horse, when a general shout was sent up, as of complete and perfect triumph.

  “Mistaken souls!”

Having reached her father’s house, one of the Committee addressed a speech to her, hoped that for the sake of her family, and the community, Miss King would relinquish all partiality for Professor Allen, advised her also to go around among the ladies of the village, and consult with them, and assured her that he would be glad to see her at his house; and at any time when she felt disposed to come, he would send a sleigh to bring her.

Nothing remarkable about this speech.  But the tone in which it was delivered!—­that cannot be put upon paper.  The speaker evidently thought the young lady would receive it all as a mark of gracious favor, and as assuring her that though she had been “hand and glove” with a coloured man, he would nevertheless condescend to overlook it.  He was dealing with the wrong woman, however; and he received such a reply to his harangue as only a virtuous indignation could have prompted.

The reader must also be informed that a double-sleigh load of able-bodied men followed close behind the one in which Miss King was taken home.  What this movement meant, I am not able very satisfactorily to conjecture.  I venture the opinion, however, that the good folks supposed their victim would jump out of the sleigh in which she was riding, if a good opportunity should offer, and run back to the Professor; and so this last load, no doubt, was put on as the rear-guard of the posse.

Now for myself.  Miss King having left, and the mob having been informed that I was about to leave, they were somewhat quieted, but were far from being appeased.  That portion of the Committee that remained with me, thought there was danger yet; and so, indeed, there was, judging hideous noises, bitter curses and ruffianly demonstrations, to be any proper criterion.  They still cried, “bring him out” and “kill him.”  The Committee thought the safety of the house required that I should be removed at once; so I having gotten together my hat, valise and other effects, they took me under their protection and conducted me to the village hotel.